Wash ing-machine



(ModeL) J. I. GRAVES; WASHING MACHINE. No. 247,634. Patented Sept. 27,1881.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN I. canvas, or WELLINGTON, ILLINOIS.

WASHING-.MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,634, dated September 27, 1881. -Application filed April 20, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. I. GRAVES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wellington, in the county of Iroquois and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form apartof this specification. My invention relates to a washing-machine of that class which combine reciprocation, vibration, suction, and squeezing, and turning of the clothes in the vessel; and the novelty consists inthe construction and arrangement of parts, as will be morefully hereinafter set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

The object of the invention is to produce a washing-machine consisting of a tub havingan inclined bottom with a suds-exit at the lower portion. From the lower end a series of springs connect with aconcavo-convex vibrating frame having plenteous openings to allow the suds to pass and repass through such openings as the frame is vibrated or oscillated. Nearthefront end of the frame is journaled a shaft having quadruple crank portions, each portion being loosely connected with reciprocating plungers, arranged in such a manner that one plunger will .bear against the clothes and against the concavo-coni'ex vibrating frame at each quarter-turn of the crank-shaft. These plungers have a general chamber, from which quadruplex longitudinal openings lead to the suds, and a controlled upper valve. The crank-shaft is operated by any proper motive power, and the bottom of the tub is made to conform to the sweep of the plungers. Transversely across the bottom is a spring-rest, upon which the lower surface of the plungers rest, and the spring inherent in said rest eases the blow of the falling plungers, and the rest acts as afulcrum, by which the plungers, before they recede, serve to raise or turn the clothes pressed against the self-adj ustin g vibrating diaphragm or frame.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will describe the construction and mode of operation of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a top-plan view with the covers removed, showing the internal arrange ment; Fig. 2, a side elevation, partiallyin section, to show the general contour of the frame and a side view of the vibrating frame; Fig. 3, aview of the transverse spring-rest, and Fig. 4 a detail sectional view of one of the plungers.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the box or tub, having legs a and a downwardlycurved bottom, A.

Journaled at b in the box or tub A'is a revolving shaft, B, having right-angled cranks b b b b, to which are loosely connected plungers 0, having necks c, bodies 0, of rectangular form, and containing each a general chamber, 0, from which four tubes, 0 lead outwardly, and a valve-openin g, 0 is controlled by a valve, D, having suctional contact with the upper surface of the rectangular portion of the plungers, and limited in its action by a curved rod, 61. These plungers G reciprocate and oscillate by the action of the cranks, and rest upon a transverse spring-bar, E,cut away upon the lower side, 0, and at the extremity of their stroke are in contact with the self-adjusting vibrating frame or grate F, which is held outward from the lower end of the machine or frame by the constant force of spiral springs G, as shown. The clothes being inserted, the plungers act intermittently and in' regular rotation to force the said clothes against the grate F, and as the crank-end of each plunger is lowered the opposite end oscillates against the clothes in an upward direction, serving to turn the clothes and to rub them, not only against each other, but against their bearing surfaces.

The grate F is of coneavo-convex form in transverse section, and is provided with bearing-cleats f, upon which the springs rest. The concave portion faces the months 0 of the plunger O, and as it oscillates and vibrates the suds in either direction pass through the interstices between the bars f 00 represents the crank.

To prevent the slopping of the suds I em-.

ploy a hinged cap or cover, M, which has inclined sides, and serves to cover the several cranks. Another removable portion, N, covers the body of the tub or receptacle, which has an outlet at or near its lowest portion, the said portion N having an inclined portion which corresponds with the incline of the cover M.

The operation of the device is obvious.

Various modifications may he made without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of my invention, the essential elements of which are the frameAA'MN, the concavo-convex self-adjustingopen frame or grate F, the spring-rest E, and their relations with the plungers (l and the other specified portions.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The transverse spring-bar E, combined with the tub A A, plungers G, and operating crank-shaft B b, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a washing-machine, the combination of the self-adjusting concavo-convex grate F and springs G, the valved plungers G 0 0 the spring'rest or fulcrum E, the frame, and the quadruply-cranked shaft B, as and for the pur- 25 poses specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN I. GRAVES.

Witnesses J. D. ROTHGEB, W. H. PRILLAMAN. 

